MARTA board approves fare hike ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - MARTA's board approved a jump in fares today. WABE was at the passionate meeting where both riders and board members spoke.

The mood was contentious. Riders at today's meeting spoke out against the fare increase, saying it was 'stifling' and 'wrong.' Audience members chanted 'no,' as the board approved an increase in base fare to $2.50 and a nearly 40 percent increase in monthly fares to $95. Terrence Courtney, of the Atlanta Public Sector Alliance, spoke out against the hikes.

"This is not the end, MARTA says they're going to cut back in a year or two. Then it's going to do what? A 100, 120? Why don't you just make it $500, you know, make it a car note."

But board members said that they had no other option. Chairman Jim Durrett says they're dipping into MARTA's reserves, and he must shore up the system's fiscal condition in order to remain viable.

"We're not going to be able to provide service at the level we do today, or perhaps at all just a few short years down the line."

The fare increase take effect in the beginning of October.

© Copyright 2012, WABE